What Were the Causes Which Made Christianity Spread all Over Europe?

Spread of Christianity in Europe: Christianity has the largest membership in the world. Peter and Paul, Spread of Christianity in the Roman Empire. Support was given by Galerius, Constantine and Theodosius. Several causes made Christianity popular.

Spread of Christianity in Europe

Christianity, a religion established by Jesus Christ, is professed today by one thousand million people or about one-third of the world population. It can boast of a larger membership than any other faith.

When Jesus was crucified, nobody imagined that his religion would spread in the course of time in all the continents of the world and be the most important religion of Europe and the Americas. To begin with, only a few people followed Christ’s principles. But the zeal of Peter, Paul and other Apostles and of the Fathers of the Church pushed the faith to every nook and corner of the world. In the beginning, Christianity was preached only to the Jews, but Paul was responsible for spreading it in Asia not only among the Jews but also among the Gentiles. The greatest triumphs of Christianity were in the Roman Empire. When Christianity became the state religion in Rome and Byzantium, it secured truly great prospects.

The excellent church organization and the monastic movements spread Christianity all over the world. We are concerned here with the spread of Christianity in Europe.

Role of Peter

After long travels in the course of which h¢ converted a large number of people to Christianity, Peter reached Rome in 42 according to Jerome (c. 390). It is accepted by al! shat Peter played the most conspicuous role in establishing Christianity in Rome and in developing a strong Christian community there. Lactantius says that Peter reached Rome at the time of emperor Nero. it is also said both Paul and Peter were in Rome, the former in prison and the latter free. Probably both of them were put to death in 64.

On the mortal remains of Peter in Rome a great cathedral was built.

Role of Paul

Paul, who was  called the Missionary of the Gentiles, was instrumental in spreading Christianity in the cities of Asia Minor. In the course of his missionary tours, he sailed from Alexandria Troas to Macedonia, where he set foot on European soil for the first time. He visited Thessalonica, Athens and Corinth for conversion work.

Paul visited Rome but his last days there are shrouded in mystery. It seems he was tried in Rome, found guilty of disobeying the emperor’s decree and beheaded. Origen says that he became martyr in the time of Nero.

According to a legend, Peter and Paul met-

“in friendship on the road to death”

In the third century, over the place on the Via Ostia, where Christians believe that Paul was laid to rest, a cathedral was built.

Christianity and the Roman Empire

Several Roman emperors like Nero tried to wipe out Christianity. The Roman government for a long time was a great hindrance to Christianity.

The Romans gave toleration to several religions including Christianity. In the beginning, the emperors ignored the existence of Christians. But when the system of emperor worship was introduced, and the Christians refused to look upon the emperor as god, the emperors began to persecute Christians. The Jews also were persecuted, as it was. difficult to distinguish between Jews and Christians.

Christians hated Rome, refused to accept public office and condemned idol worship. Under Nero Christians were tied to wooden posts and burnt alive. He thought that they were responsible for setting fire to Rome. Many Christians were thrown to wild animals to be killed and eaten.

Emperor Trajan declared that the refusal to pay homage to him was a capital offence. Even the philosopher-emperor Marcus Aurelius persecuted Christians as a part of his duty. In 248, many Christians were persecuted or executed as they failed to take part in the celebration of the anniversary of the establishment of Rome.

Even the most ruthless type of persecution could not suppress Christianity. On the contrary, it made them more stubborn and determined in defending their faith. They did not mind suffering, as Jesus himself had suffered, and died on the cross.

Gradually the emperors became relatively soft to Christians. In 311, Emperor Galerius (305-311), harassed by misfortunes and suffering from a malignant illness, issued an edict of toleration.

Emperor Constantine (306-337) thinking that a great victory he had won over the Eastern Roman emperor at the Milvain Bridge in 312 was the result of Christian support, issued in gratitude, the Edict of Milan in 313, granting liberty of worship to Christians, restoring their property and removing all their legal disabilities. Constantine’s pro-Christian policy gave a tremendous impetus to Christianity, and it facilitated the conversion of the upper classes in Roman society. Constantine did much to convert the peasants to Christianity. He made the observation of Sunday compulsory, constructed new churches, and encouraged Christian priests in many ways. The city of Constantinople was dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary.

The successors of Constantine with the exception of Julian (361-363) encouraged Christianity and punished pagans. Theodosius (379-395) declared in 392 that Christianity was the only recognized religion of the state.

The encouragement of Roman emperors enabled missionaries to spread Christianity to the ends of the Roman empire. By the end of the 5th century A.D. the Roman empire collapsed; but the church continued in all its power and glory. Within a few centuries, every nation in Europe embraced Christianity.

The authority of the Roman Church replaced, in a way, the authority of the Roman empire. The seat or see of the Caesars was occupied by the Popes. Among writers who condemned Christianity, one was Celsus in the second-half of the 2nd century. In his book True Word Celsus wrote against Christianity with utter contempt. Christianity was then defended by Origen in his book Against Celsus.

Defence of Christianity:

As stated above, Origen defended Christianity. In the Roman empire itself, there arose the beat minds to champion the cause of Christianity. Ignatius, Bishop of Antioch gave a wholesome and convincing philosophy to Christianity id established the powerful line of Post-apostolic Fathers. Justin who was thrown to be torn by animals in 108 for not giving nis faith, composed several letters, whose gist was that he was dying Willingly for God’s sake. Quadratus, Athenagoras and many pore wrote Apologies on behalf of Christianity.

The strongest fighter for Christianity was Quintus Septimius Tertullianus of Carthage (b. 160).

Adoption of Paganism

Christianity instead of destroying paganism adopted it.

Greek Influence:

Christians used the Greek mind and Greek language for the use of the Church in its ritual and literature. The Church adopted many of the Greek mysteries.

Causes of the Spread of Apostolic Christianity

Several causes were responsible for the spread of Apostolic Christianity.

1. Great Work of Apostles: Christ had given stature to his apostles, who had been carefully chosen by him. All apostles except Judas proved their worth during the life of Christ and after his crucifixion. Peter and Paul worked hard to spread Christianity, and no suffering could hinder their zeal to give the Gospel. Both of them died as martyrs in Rome, and the whole world was impressed by their flaming zeal and sincerity. While Peter took Christianity to Rome, Paul took it to the countries of Asia and to the Gentiles. Paul was an organizer with extraordinary ability, and he established several great Christian Communities and churches, which served as the nerve centers of the new faith.
2. Christianity Open to All: Apostolic Christianity was open to all, to kings and nobles, the people of the middle classes, the proletariat and the slaves, Jews and Gentiles. It held out great hopes to the poor and the downtrodden, and it was readily embraced by them.
3. Support of Roman Emperors: The Roman Emperors Rave toleration to Christianity in the early years, though some emperors severely persecuted Christians. Ultimately Christianity was made the official religion of Rome.
4. Rich Theology: Christianity developed a rich theology and philosophy. The Epistles of Paul and John can be given as examples. Rich theology satisfied intellectuals in society.
5. Sense of Humanity: The common people were impressed by the feeling of equality and brotherhood, a deep sense of humanity and its concern for the poor, the sick, the widowed and the orphaned.
6. Excellent Church Organisation: The excellent organisation of the church and. the spirit of sacrifice and dedication with which the church fathers. worked made Christianity popular and strong.

The spread of Christianity in Europe was a remarkable journey shaped by the tireless efforts of apostles like Peter and Paul, who played pivotal roles in propagating the faith. Despite early persecutions, Christianity gained momentum through the support of key Roman emperors, such as Constantine, and the strong organizational structure of the Church. The message of Christianity, open to all people regardless of class or background, resonated with many, particularly the poor and marginalized. Over time, Christianity’s rich theology, sense of humanity, and the unwavering dedication of its followers made it the dominant religion in Europe. The fall of the Roman Empire did not end the influence of Christianity; rather, it continued to thrive, eventually becoming the foundation of Western civilization.